Land of dreams

In this week's episode we're in a British bar in Maribor to meet Melanie. It's a story about an Englishwoman opening a business in Slovenia. And Melanie has no regrets! She says she has only gained from the experience. Her advice is to be persistent, keep asking questions, and keep going… To find out more about her story and visions, listen in ;) Melanie's music choice: The Smiths - "How soon is n...

This week we talk to Yahya Alzir, a Syrian working in a Middle Eastern food store in central Ljubljana. We found him at the store together with his friend and co-worker Muhannad. Yahya first came as an asylum seeker and has been in Slovenia for around three years now. He works 11 hours a day, speaks Slovene, says Ljubljana is beautiful, and calls Slovenia his home :) Yahya's music choice: Fares Ka...

Join us we head to the hills near the Krka River in the village of Male Lese to meet a musician from England. Meet Joseph Wheba, who's been in Slovenia for over 10 years now! He came because of love and decided to stay because of love. Today he spends his time cutting grass, picking mushrooms, and playing in a band called "Generator". Joseph's music choice: Generator - "Ni". You can listen to the...

When he first came to Slovenia, Abimael felt like in the Garden of Eden. Abimael is a pastor and missionary from Brazil. Apart from spreading the teachings of the Bible, Abimael also teaches English and Portuguese. After 11 years in Slovenia, Abimael now freely communicates in Slovene language and says he feels like home in Novo Mesto :) Abimael's music choice: Utrip Kraljestva ft. Davor Gričnik &...

Chaitan has a passion for food. He's been here since 2006 and says Slovenia is the most beautiful country in the world. He was first in the business of buying and selling metal. Today he runs an Indian restaurant in Ljubljana. He says it's easy to do business in Slovenia, as long as you know what you want to do. Chaitan's music choice: Michael Jackson - "Bad". You can listen to the full song here:...

Rick first came to the region towards the end of the 1970s. After years of living back and forth between the US and Slovenia, Rick has now decided to spend his retirement in Rogaška Slatina. He says the changes he's noticed in Slovenia through the years are only positive, and feels people are more optimistic today... The only thing Rick still misses is Slovenian citizenship. Rick's music choice: A...

Wasiu is a Nigerian who lives and works in Ljubljana. He's been here six years now and wants to make Slovenia his home. He works at Mercator by day and drives an Uber by night, pays his taxes and is learning the language. One cold morning, Wasiu took me for a short drive around Ljubljana ;) Wasiu's music choice: Davido - "Fall". You can listen to the full song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

Meet Ruben, a Spaniard working in a Japanese restaurant in Ljubljana. So how did he end up as a chef preparing Japanese food, and what's it like working in a kitchen? Ruben says coming to Ljubljana was like love at first sight and he loves the Slovenian traditional dishes such as jota, ričet, matevž... And the biggest challenges in Slovenia? - Learning the language, and making friends! Ruben's mus...

Zsofi had wanted to play in an orchestra pit since she was a child. After completing her master’s at the Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest she successfully auditioned for a position in Maribor, and today plays the cello at the SNG Maribor Opera and Ballet Orchestra. Zsofi says she loves her job and that creating with others is a feeling like no other... Zsofi's music choice: Katalena - "(Rad imel...

Beverley lives in the easternmost village of Slovenia and says she's found her place in the sun. It all started 15 years ago when Beverley, her husband, daughter, son, and dog, all arrived from the UK with their caravan in search of a home. Today she works as a native English speaker at the Gimnazija Franca Miklošiča Ljutomer high school, and on some days you can also find her walking her dog in t...

Bicycles, trains, and walking... That's how Colin Tueck, a German in Old Ljubljana gets around. He lives between Ljubljana and Brussels. He says more people cycle in Brussels, but adds that using his bicycle in and around Ljubljana is more enjoyable... Colin moved to Ljubljana because of love. He's been here for 15 years now. He would like to see more frequent and faster trains in Slovenia, and wi...

Rolant Jones is a Welshman living in the northeast of Slovenia in the municipality of Rogašovci. A Goričko man from Wales! Rolant has no regrets about coming to Slovenia, he just wishes he made the decision sooner. Tune in to hear more about Rolant's connection to Slovenian rugby, his house renovation experience, his personal connection with George Michael, and more... Rolant's music choice: Georg...

Life is long, and life is short. Alex James, a young Indian living, working, and studying in Slovenia, shares his thoughts and impressions in the next Land of Dreams... Alex's music choice: Ed Sheeran - "Sapphire". You can listen to the full song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgDNFQ2RaLQ&list=RDJgDNFQ2RaLQ&start_radio=1

Going as a young person to a foreign country to earn a living is one thing. But going as a family is a whole different challenge. Meet Santosh and Mandira, a couple from Nepal who decided to come work and live in Slovenia with their five-year-old daughter. So what are their biggest challenges and what do they hope for? We sat down with them in the town of Gornja Radgona, on the banks of the Mura r...

Aaron Arnold is an American who decided to follow his dream and live in Europe. And Aaron fulfilled his dream when he chose Slovenia. An accountant by trade, today he has a popular vlog about his experience and travels in Slovenia. He says most of his followers are Slovenes, who he describes as curious, honest, and direct. What he likes here is the work-life balance, the coffee culture, the use of...

Dragana is originally from Novi Sad, Serbia. Today she lives near Lendava and works at the Ljudska Univerza adult education centre in Murska Sobota. Of course, she came to Slovenia because of love. And since coming here she has learned how to drive, maintain a green backyard, and speak fluent Slovene. Through her work she now helps other foreigners learn Slovene, and tells us why it's better to fi...

Micheal Chris is a musician with a dream. A dream for his music to reach people around the world. Originally from Nigeria, he spent seven years in Italy before coming to Slovenia. He says Slovenia is more peaceful and calm, which helps him think and be himself. At the moment Micheal works in a restaurant in Maribor, but hopes his music will open doors to future artistic collaborations and fame. Mi...

Who pays the bill if it's your birthday? Well, it depends if you're in Brazil or Slovenia ;) Fernanda is a young Brazilian living in Slovenia's capital Ljubljana. She came here five years ago because of work and fell in love with a Slovene soon afterwards. Today she has her own business and travel blogs helping foreigners discover Slovenia. Listen in to find out some of her favourite locations in...

When Melissa and Owen faced the reality of Ljubljana's housing prices, they decided to look elsewhere. Today they're the proud owners of a property in Celje. At first glance, they say Celje is more friendly than Ljubljana. But Melissa, originally from China, says arriving in Slovenia and Europe for the first time was a culture shock. She met Owen, originally from the UK, in China. And after 10 yea...

Peter Kamien is a German who has been here long enough to know a thing or two about Slovenes. And although critical at times, he says he would never leave Slovenia. He met his Slovene wife while working in marketing, and then went on to be a writer, translator, and even an advisor in the presidential campaign! Peter also runs the biggest German travel blog about Slovenia, organizes the monthly Deu...

If you walk along the Ljubljanica River in Ljubljana you might run into Fatima Zahra. Fatima comes from a tourist/fishing town in Morocco, lives in Domžale, but manages a small shop in Ljubljana. She came here after meeting a Slovenian on holiday in Morocco. They fell in love and now have a family in Slovenia:) Fatima loves the open markets - especially the locally produced cheese and butter! She...

Anzhelika says two things Slovenians take for granted are clean drinking water and safety. Anzhelika is from Ukraine and has a background in international relations. But we found her at the Museum of National Liberation in Maribor where she helps out organizing international projects and exhibitions. As a matter of fact, she was also married inside the museum. Of course, to a Slovenian ;) Anzhelik...

Zaher travelled almost a month across many countries to reach Slovenia. When the 23-year-old citizen of no country finally arrived in Slovenia in 2016, he asked from asylum. Zaher Amini was otherwise born in Iran as a refugee to parents from Afghanistan. He hasn't seen his parents since coming to Slovenia – that's eight years now… Today Zaher works in a restaurant in Hrpelje-Kozina, is almost flue...

This week we meet, talk to, and take a walk with a young Georgian living in Velenje. Meet Leli Aronia Zajc, a promising photographer who came here for a study experience, but ended up marrying a Slovenian. Leli has been living in Velenje for around two years now. The community is small but welcoming. She says Slovenians tend to keep a distance at first, but when they open their hearts Slovenia bec...

Mitchell is a carpenter from the US now living and working in the Bovec area. It took just one picture of Slovenia and a brief visit for him to decide to move here “forever”. He calls his new home heaven on earth... Today he fulfills his time with woodwork projects, hiking the Soča trail, and swimming in the river with his dog Franky. In addition, he eats good food and enjoys the hospitality and c...